Pentasia VP of Americas Robert Gray delivers a rundown of major markets and regional trends around the world. Jump to the iGB-Pentasia Salary Survey’s global view.
Regional snapshot
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UNITED KINGDOM
UKGC’s financial risk assessment pilot continues shaping policy, with staged reform replacing sweeping changes and influencing future practical rules.
MALTA
Hiring in Malta remains active, but competitive salary expectations and clear relocation packages are essential to attract international candidates.
CYPRUS
Limassol continues its rise as an iGaming hub, with new office openings and events cementing Cyprus as a strategic operations base.
UNITED STATES
No major legalisation changes, but fiscal tweaks and model policy proposals dominate the fragmented US regulatory landscape in 2025.
COLOMBIA
Colombia remains a leader in Latin America, with firm enforcement, tightened controls and new taxation aimed at public welfare initiatives.
FRANCE
France’s online casino reform debate continues, with proposals pulled back for review amid concerns over land-based impact and consumer protection.
GIBRALTAR
High property demand and limited talent supply makes hiring entry-level positions in this territory a challenge.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The GCGRA plans to mirror their existing land-based model by granting seven B2C Online Gaming licences, attracting new operators and driving market revenue.
Global View
EUROPE
Across Europe, regulatory activity remained high in 2025. Germany focused on implementation under its existing framework, while Spain and the Netherlands tightened advertising and consumer protections. Italy’s headlines centred on licence renewals and operational timelines. As markets mature, operators face increasing complexity; from stricter enforcement to evolving standards in AML, advertising and licence management.
NORTH AMERICA
Despite ongoing optimism around iGaming in North America, the market has matured into one dominated by a few giants. Regulation remains fragmented, with online casino live in seven states, and even sports betting yet to pass the halfway mark. This patchwork has limited new market entries, concentrating growth in the hands of those whose marketing budgets effectively shut out smaller challengers.
As a result, new operators have shifted focus toward sweepstakes and social casino models, legal grey areas that leverage old federal laws to offer “free play” experiences similar to real-money gaming.
Hiring has followed this shift. With fewer new operators, senior vacancies have slowed, but sweepstakes businesses are fuelling demand in marketing and user acquisition roles, from growth leads to VPs. Data and product positions are rising again too, driven by the emergence of prediction markets and a resurgence in Daily Fantasy Sports.
Initially, incumbents resisted these alternative models, but with prediction markets now reaching critical mass, even top operators are adapting or acquiring in this space. Looking ahead, expansion opportunities such as Alberta’s newly regulated market will attract cross-border growth from Ontario.
The future of North American iGaming belongs to those who adapt fast, in regulation, in product and in people.
BRAZIL
Brazil remains the region’s headline market, but operators continue to face growing pains. While regulation is technically in place, uncertainty lingers; particularly around tax reform proposals, which could trigger renewed black-market activity.
Tensions between local teams and foreign operators are also evident, as North American methodologies clash with the nuances of Brazil’s unique market. Streamer-led marketing, player perceptions of gambling as investment and cultural preferences demand a truly localised approach: Brazilian strategy, for the Brazilian market, for the Brazilian player.
Talent mobility remains high, with country managers, department heads and legal professionals frequently changing roles, often through informal networks. Brazilians tend to switch jobs more often than European counterparts expect, making retention a challenge.
Foreign operators are becoming more open to hiring outside the sector, particularly from fintech, insurance and neobanking. Meanwhile, hybrid models are failing to satisfy both sides: overseas managers want staff in São Paulo offices, but local talent is resisting long commutes and office mandates.
Salaries are rising gradually, though competition from international employers – especially in North America – is reshaping expectations for remote roles. In a market where talent is in motion, differentiation, flexibility and local understanding are essential.
REST OF THE WORLD
Despite iGaming’s scale, Asia remains constrained by tighter 2025 rules and enforcement. India introduced a sweeping ban on real-money online games, now facing Supreme Court scrutiny over constitutional grounds.
Nigeria’s controversial Central Gaming Bill drew fierce criticism, sparking legal and political battles over federal control versus state authority. New Zealand proposed a regulated framework granting up to 15 licences, aiming to curb offshore operators and boost tax revenue.
Key trends from this year’s report can be found here.
Tomorrow we’ll release the centrepiece of the iGB-Pentasia Salary Survey, a full breakdown of salaries by role and function.
Find the full Salary Survey 2025 report here:
iGB-Pentasia_Salary Survey 2025
The regulatory and industry developments shaping gaming hiring policy around the world.